DRAMA CLUB: Love Around Episode 4 (1/4)

[Cue opening song]
This drama is doing things to me, things I do not truly comprehend. During the first three episodes I had this mindset that Love Around was a fairly interesting drama, nothing I was too invested in. But suddenly, halfway through episode 4, this sudden realization hit me. This drama is supermegafoxyawesome.
Ok, so as we have established before the fact that this is a pretty damn cliché show. You’ve got the badass/bad boy, Zhou Zhen, with the dark past whose girlfriend leaves him because of said history. And he spends the beginning looking somber.
[caption id="attachment_173180" align="alignnone" width="585"] Sad main character is sad.[/caption]
And on the other side, you’ve got bubbly, vivacious, Xiao Shu, who just tries to make everyone happy while also following her dreams.
Her boyfriend turns out to be a complete d-bag, which kills her sprit. However, by some miracle of fate, they find each other and form this unlikely miniature heartbreak club and it gives them this surprising sense of comfort and happiness.
[caption id="attachment_173182" align="alignnone" width="585"] “Save Me From This Nothing I’ve Become”…[/caption]
Yes, it’s pretty obvious what path this drama is going to take, but there’s something connectable about this drama that I just can’t place yet. The chemistry between the two is unmistakable (Obviously, since they did totally get through a 70 ish episode drama together) and it’s wonderful to see the growth between the pair.
However, then you also have the “other man” trope. You know, the sweet guy who is always there for the main character, who cares for her more than any one in the entire world (and sometimes you think he cares more than the male protagonist himself). However, he’s constantly placed in the “friendzone” because of his continuous support. This man who cares and understands, you know how much he thinks about said female protagonist and you want him to be happy and you know he’s only going to be happy with the girl but she’s only going to end up with THE guy and you’re torn. The main couple is sweet and perfect but what if the girl and the side guy get together? You wouldn’t mind that, but you know it’ll never happen and it is heartbreaking. Those, my dear fellow drama lovers, are my feelings for Gao Zhe Zuan.
He obviously cares very much for Xiao Shu and he’s completely stuck in the past in which their friendship was the only thing that mattered. Every time he brings up the little things he and Xiao Shu would do together, it breaks my heart a little. He is obviously holding on very tightly to these memories, they are what he relies on, but Xiao Shu is forgetting them. He is holding onto his past, while Xiao Shu is trying to move on towards her future. Her future contains Zhou Zhen as the finishing point, not her childhood friend, Gao Zhe Zuan. And he doesn’t seem to have grasped that realization yet.
This is also a reason why I enjoy this drama and other dramas with characters like these. It is a feeling I personally can connect with. There are romantic connections in my life that have ended up like this. There may be a person in my life, whom, at first, develops an interest in me, as I do for them. I begin to care about and want that by my side forever. However, they slowly begin to slip away and leave me behind to pick up the pieces of a forgotten past, wondering what the hell just happened. That moment is just so heartbreaking but just something that happens in our lives. These are why dramas, through the silly antics, are powerful. They are able to make you forget the present through usage of very common themes in life. It is a very powerful tool. If a drama is able to utilize it effectively, it is practically magical.
Now, enter Ying Ying, the spoiled, shenanigan-filled heiress.
[caption id="attachment_173184" align="alignnone" width="585"] Seriously, whoever the set designer is, MAKE OVER MY ROOM PLEASE!! I NEED A CUTE/MODERN ROOM RIGHT NOW![/caption]
Zhou Zhen is perfect. Seriously. He’s just always there to help her and it is so sweet. Every little thing he does for her is just awesome. He totally cares about her. Right now, I’m not sure if all of these encounters are fate or a little bit of stalking so I’m not sure whether I should swoon or be a little creeped out. I’ll choose the better reaction. (Take note that I am not specifying which one is the “better choice,” be sure to use your imagination for that)
Stop making pensive model faces, George.You know how couples share things like pets and furniture? I love how since they don’t have a solidified relationship, they share a lucky baseball. This item is always between the two, for both of them only. Like a dog, but it hasn’t reached the level of a live being yet, so, like their relationship, it is a start but has lots of room to grow.
The interactions between the coworkers have to stop being so cute and sweet. I’m getting cavities here. I love office friendships (as well as relationships…but that is a topic for another drama)
Hey, look, one of the fangirls have crawled out from the outside world and crashed into the drama. Secret stalking photography time!
They seriously need to stop making Gao Zhe Zuan so wonderful. I need to at least like Zhou Zhen a little bit more in order to continue to root for them. I love the character of Gao Zhe Zuan, he’s just so calm and serious in the face of adversity.
And the punch scene truly hurt me too.
I feel ya, Ying Ying. I feel ya.
[caption id="attachment_173194" align="alignnone" width="585"] Oh shit, character development![/caption]
For those who might dislike Ying Ying, here’s some Ying Ying paused in continual pain for your enjoyment. (Can I have her outfits, please?)
[caption id="attachment_173195" align="alignnone" width="585"] You laugh it up, Zhou Zhen[/caption]
It must be nice to be rich. Look at this giant ass dinning table for four people.
Now to the thing I really want to discuss and see your reactions on. What do you guys think about Zhou Zhen’s father and his little triffle with Xiao Shu?
[caption id="attachment_173197" align="alignnone" width="585"] Puppy dog eyes waiting fo yo answers…[/caption]
On one hand, I can understand his motivations. Yes, he does not want his newly acquired clean slate to be soiled by rumors, but his actions themselves, like Zhou Zhen stated, just makes him seem more like the gangster that he’s trying not to be. It’s a very ironic way of dealing with issues. I personally cannot hate his character (I have yet to truly hate any character in this show), but I am angry with him. It seems absolutely silly to try to ruin someone’s life just because they spread rumors of that caliber. Much dirtier laundry has been aired publicly. Yes, reproductions do come from it, but I don’t think there’s that much bad that happens. Or maybe I’m just being naive in my beliefs and think that everyone should be given an equal opportunity to express their opinions.
I am also greatly enjoying how Zhou Zhen and Xiao Shu are realizing how much they care about each other and relishing in it. They are totally seeing how lucky both of them are to have someone who looks after them.
So couple-y! I can’t stand it!
[caption id="attachment_173200" align="alignnone" width="585"] They’re like parents giving their child a stern talking to when they’ve been misbehaving and accidentally pushed the neighbor’s son down the slide.[/caption]
But, but, guys, that scratch-it scene killed me. So freaking cute. I am gonna go and flail around like a freak now. I mean he fucking smiled like a little child. Do you know how explosive this is. Zhou Zhen’s expressions in this entire show so far have been: Mope. Mope. Mope. Snicker. Mope. Mope. Mope. Big smile to light up the heavens.
This is how much he cares about Xiao Shu. It makes me wish for a guy like that. A guy who would pay $300,000 in lottery tickets just to give me back my dreams. That, my darling drama lovers, is true love.
(Note of warning: I am a total Misha minion so anticipate many more Misha Collins gifs in the near future)
[End episode]
More from the LOVE AROUND Drama Club!
Episode 4 [ Part 1 ] [ Part 2 ] [ Part 3 ] [ Part 4 ]
Episode 3 [ Part 1 ] [ Part 2 ] [ Part 3 ] [ Part 4 ]
Episode 2 [ Part 1 ] [ Part 2 ] [ Part 3 ] [ Part 4 ]
Follow our writers on their own blogs!Holly from kdramatherapy.blogspot.com
Leah from ZombieMamma.com
Deborah from theelectricalbookcafe.blogspot.com